Top songs of 2013

Robin Thicke performs onstage during 93.3 FLZs Jingle Ball 2013 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on December 18, 2013 in Tampa, Florida.

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Beyonce's decision to release her album direct to fans only on iTunes at first and only use Instagram and Facebook to promote it really underscores this," said Billboard Magazine Editorial Director Bill Werde.

Billboard Magazine has been the home of the weekly hot 100 chart for 55 years. They've used sales, radio airplay and digital streams to gauge song popularity, but this year, began factoring in Youtube views as well.

"This is increasingly the way people are hearing music first; hearing music the most," Werde said. "Those streams can be responsible, depending on the week, for as much as 20 to 25 percent of a song's chat performance."

All that in mind, Billboard's number one song of the year was "Thrift Shop" by rap duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

"When people like my mom and dad are talking about ‘popping tags', you know a song has transcended the form," Werde said.

Coming in at number two was Robin Thicke's ubiquitous hit, "Blurred Lines," while the number three spot went to Imagine Dragon's ‘Radioactive."

Fans also still love Taylor Swift. She was Billboard's Female Artist of the Year.

"She really released a fairly progressive pop album with some electronic sounds, and some slightly edgier styles of music." Werde said. "She took some chances with her fans and her fans really followed."

Honors for Billboard's Male Artist, as well as Artist of the Year went to Bruno Mars.

"Both of Bruno Mars' big hits really lasted a long time on our charts," Werde said. "That really helped him." Mars' momentum from 2013 will carry into the New Year, as he is the halftime act at the Super Bowl.

The rest of Billboard's top ten songs of the year included "Harlem Shake," "Can't Hold Us," and Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors."

Pink's duet with Nate Reuss of Fun, "Just Give Me a Reason" came in at number seven; "When I Was Your Man," by Bruno Mars is number eight' "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly was nine; and "Roar" by Katy Perry rounded the list out at number ten.

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